Review recent large and small Ponzi schemes to learn the characteristics of a typical Ponzi scheme and techniques that CPAs can use to spot the red flags of fraud. Ponzi schemes look like legitimate investments, so you will be taught the questions to ask, where to look for answers, and how to conduct a thorough investigation to detect them. The presentation will draw conclusions about the repeating patterns and behavioral conduct pervasive in these types of schemes.

Description
Review recent large and small Ponzi schemes to learn the characteristics of a typical Ponzi scheme and techniques that CPAs can use to spot the red flags of fraud.

Ponzi schemes look like legitimate investments, so you will be taught the questions to ask, where to look for answers, and how to conduct a thorough investigation to detect them. The presentation will draw conclusions about the repeating patterns and behavioral conduct pervasive in these types of schemes.

ities and communications in one central place. You will be amazed at how powerful and yet simple to use this application is.

Specific topics include:

The patterns of conduct of the Ponzi scheme perpetrator

The characteristics of a typical Ponzi scheme

What the typical promises are that will be made

How to spot inconsistencies in the company’s paperwork

How to vet the auditor and other gatekeepers

What kind of background checks to run

How to best investigate publicly available information

How to evaluate the business model

What kind of mistakes CPAs commonly make

What not to believe

Objectives

Learn what due diligence questions to ask and techniques to use to detect a Ponzi scheme.